Colts fall (almost) to the bottom in the NFL power rankings

Scott Tolzien and Jacoby Brissett both played quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. Who should start Week 2?
Scott Horner/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Scott Tolzien (16) walks off the field after throwing another interception against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (Photo: Matt Kryger/IndyStar)

So where are the Colts now? In a couple of cases, in the league basement. But in many cases, they get an edge over the New York Jets.

And away we go.

• Chris Simms of Bleacher Report, who put the Colts 32nd (last) heading into the season opener, is certain he was right:

It's worth noting the Colts don't have the worst roster in the NFL. However, they have a bottom-10 roster paired with a quarterback situation that is embarrassing.

There's no reason to take pity on the Colts, though. They knew Andrew Luck was coming off shoulder surgery and did nothing to strengthen the position. Scott Tolzien is an average backup who started the opener because Indianapolis refused to properly prepare. Because of this, it's hard to feel sorry after the 46-9 loss.

In addition to having issues at quarterback, the Colts were hampered by offensive mistakes and poor management from the sideline. Rookie running back Marlon Mack had a would-be touchdown in the first quarter that officials ruled out at the 1-yard line. Colts head coach Chuck Pagano didn't challenge the call—Mack appeared to have broken the plane—and a touchdown was kept off the board.

There aren't many positives to take away from Indianapolis' defensive performance. The best news there is the Colts are another week closer to getting cornerback Vontae Davis back into the lineup.

Scott Tolzien threw two pick-sixes as the Colts got smashed by the Rams 46-9. Possible overreaction: Tolzien. Jacoby Brissett. It doesn't matter. If "Luck" isn't on the back of the quarterback's jersey, the Colts aren't getting anywhere near the playoffs in 2017.

You don't win too many games converting exactly zero third downs. Or throwing pick-sixes. Or allowing Jared Goff to let it rip like Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt are skipping wide open through the secondary. Holy cow, was that awful from the Colts at a not-crowded L.A. Coliseum. I wasn't sure I believed Maurice Jones-Drew when he said Indy was the worst team in the league on "The Power Rankings Show" last week. I do now.

Wow, that loss to the Rams was awful. I can’t put them No. 32 based on just one game, but another performance like that one and it’ll have to be strongly considered. Everyone assumes when Andrew Luck comes back the Colts will be competitive again, but did that look like a team that is anywhere close to being good?

Andrew Luck is to be sidelined for at least another game, and there’s little reason to believe the Colts can win without him. Scott Tolzien clearly is not the answer at QB. Perhaps the Colts should turn to Jacoby Brissett.

Bad defense, bad roster, bad situation. About the only positive thing for the Colts after that debacle in LA is that they now know it’s Jacoby Brissett’s time at quarterback until Andrew Luck returns fully healthy.